Stakeholders and health experts have called for synergy in pooling up resources that would provide mental health services for military men and women assigned to the frontline and security agencies to ensure their total well – being.
The concerned stakeholders said they were worried that the unabating exodus of Nigerian doctors and nurses abroad for greener pastures has further compounded issues with health services available for security personnel.
This was disclosed at a consultative roundtable on mental healthcare for armed forces, security service and law enforcement personnel to commemorate the World Mental Health Day in Abuja.
At the event, the director general, Office for the Strategic Preparedness and Resilience (OSPRE), National Early Warning Centre of Nigeria, Mr Chris Ngwodo said the collaborative effort was geared towards addressing issues pertaining to the mental health of security personnel who serve on the front lines, protecting and securing lives and properties of Nigerians.
He said, “The effort is to seek solutions to the lack of access to mental health for men and women that stake their lives on the frontline while we sleep. We intend to collaboratively design solutions to the challenges of mental health confronting our personnel.
“We recognise that over the years, insecurity has placed great burden on our men and women in the security agencies to deal with the threat to peace and civil order in our country.
“The mental well- being of our military and security personnel is of vital importance and there’s need for collaborative efforts in this regard.”
In his remarks, a consultant psychiatrist and mental health expert, Synapse Services, Dr Vincent Udenze said it was the first time that representatives of all military and paramilitary organisations are coming together not only to seek for a solution but to find a home-made solution.
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